DIRECT REFUSAL STRATEGIES OF INVITATIONS BY AMERICAN ENGLISH NATIVE SPEAKERS UNDER THE PERSPECTIVE OF POLITENESS THEORY

Abstract

The speech act of declining invitations is a prevalent occurrence in everyday discourse. Since such refusals inherently contradict the desires of the person extending the invitation, selecting appropriate rejection strategies—whether direct or indirect—requires considerable social finesse to maintain harmonious relationships and avoid causing offense. The selection of suitable refusal strategies is influenced by multiple variables, including cultural background, gender differences, age distinctions, social hierarchy, occupational status, and considerations of politeness. Within this research framework, the investigation focuses specifically on analyzing how native American English speakers employ direct refusal strategies when declining invitations, examined through the lens of politeness theory. The research methodology involved collecting and analyzing data from two primary sources concluding 35 American literary works and a selection of American television series broadcast both via internet platforms and Vietnamese television networks. This study aims to enhance the pedagogical effectiveness of English language instruction in Vietnam, while simultaneously contributing to the field of teaching Vietnamese to non-native speakers.